Radiator-repair machine



c. E. SCHULZ. RADIATOR REPAIR MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-1 3.1920.

Patented Mar. 21,1922;

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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lir w' C. E. SCHULZJ RADIATOR REPAIR MACHINE. APPLICATION r1150 JAN. 13,1920.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- U ITED sr PATENT OFFICE...

.GULYDE E. SCHULZ, OF FORT DODGE, IOWA, ASSIGNOR- TO AUTOMOTIVE RADIATORMACHINE COMPANY, OF FORT DODGE, IOWA, A CORPORATION.

RADIATOR-REPAIR MACHINE.

Application filed January 13, 1920.

Z 0 d], whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLYDE E. SOHULZ, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Fort Dodge, in the county of Webster and State of Iowa, haveinvented a certain new and useful Badiatorddepair Machine, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a radiator repair machineparticularly adapted for use with the radiators used on certain types ofautomobiles, such, for instance, as the Ford.

A further objectis to provide such a machine having a frame and asupporting platform mounted thereon, so arranged that a radiator may besupported on the platform for heating and melting the solder on theradiator, which machine is provided with means for quickly and easilyremoving the fins from. the radiator after the solder has been melted.

Still a further object is to provide such a machine having specialmechanism for replacing the fine in proper position.

Still a further objectof mv invention is to provide in such a machine aradiator support or platform adapted for movement to position forconveniently carrying out the various operations connected with therepair of the radiator. V

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which: 7

Figure 1 shows a perspective view .of a radiator repair machineembodying my invention.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view through the machine.

Figure 3 shows a rear elevation of the machine.

Figure 4; showsa detail sectional view illustrating a radiator inposition on the 1112\- chine, and with the parts of the machine inposition for removing a fin.

Figure 5 shows a radiator in certain position in the machine, withrelation to the tin replacing device; and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

Serial No. 351,182.

Figure 6 shows a View similar to Figure 5, with the tin replacing devicein another position of its movement.

In the drawings herewith, l have used the reference numeral 10 toindicate generally the spaced base members which form a support for mymachine, and are preferably connected by spaced, transversely arangedframe members 11. r

At each side of the machine is a pair of upright spaced angle iron framemembers 12, connected at their upper ends by a bar 13, as illustrated inFigure 1. Near the upper ends of the uprights 12, on the opposite sidesof the machine, are b 'aclrets let.

I provide a platform or support 15, preferably comprising asubstantially rectangular member having at its opposite sides ears 16which are pivoted to the respective brackets 14: by means of shortshafts or spindles l7. The ears 16 are located nearer one end of thesupp rt 15 than the other, as illustrated clearly in Figures 1 and 2.

The support or platform 15 has a plurality of rows of projecting lugs orfingers 18, designed to fit between the fins and tubes of a radiator ofthe type under consideration, for conveniently holding the radiator onthe support or platform.

Projecting forwardly from the upright members 12 at opposite sides ofthe machine areparallel, substantially horizontal frame members 19connected at their outer ends by a transverse framemember 20. Braces 21are arovided for further strengthening and supporting the frame members19.

Supported by the respective frame members 19, near the forward outerends thereof, are yolzes 22. Supported by the yokes 22 is a plurali.;yof transversely arranged burner tubes 23, which are supplied with fuelfrom a supply tube 2 1-.

(in the respective frame memberslt), near the rearward ends thereof,adjacent to the uprights 12, are brackets 25 on which are centrallypivoted bell crank levers 26. Pivotcd to one of the transversefraineineinhers it are spaced, forwardly extending frame members orarms27, which are connected at their for and ends by a foot treadle member28. a The arms or frame members 27 are pivoted between their ends tolinks 29, which extend u iwardly and bore 12. I

are each secured to one of the bell crank levers 2 6. The other arm ofeach bell crank lever is pivoted to a forwardly extending 301 T heforward ends of the arms are connected by a transverse frame member 31,clearly shown in Figure 1.

it the ends of the member 31 are laterally extending pins 32, whichoverhang the frame members 19 so as to limit the downward swingingmovement of the arm 31. On the transverse frame member 31 is a pluralityof downwardly extending teeth 33, which are ofsuch size as to projectbetween two tins of a radiator, and also between the tubes of theradiator, for the purpose here inafter more fully referred to. Connectedwith the transverse frame member 31 is a forwardly projecting handle 34.7

Connected with the links 29 and with some fixed portions of the frameare coil springs which normally tend to hold the links 29 in the upperpositions of their movement for thereby holding the bell crank levers insuch position as to retain the members 30 and 31 in their positionsnearest the ul iright menu 7 Mounted for vertical sliding movementbetween the uprights at each side of the machine, and extending upwardlysubstantially above the upper ends of the members 12, are uprights 36,which may be. in the form of channel bars and which are connected attheir upper ends by a cross member 37 provided with a plurality ofopenings 38, which correspond in their relative positions to therelative positions of the tubes in the radiator, so that the tubes atthe bottom of the radiator maybe projected through the openings 33.

Pivoted to the uprights 36 are downwardly extending links 37. Pivoted tosuitable brackets 38 near the lower portions ofthe frame members 12 atpoints forwardly of the frame members 12, are arms or frame members 39which ext'ei'ujl rearwardly in the machine, as illustrated in- .liigurcs1 and 2 and 3, :inll ure connected at their rear ends by a transversetreadle member 4.0, best illust :cd, perhapain lligures 1 and 2. Springs+11 connected with the fixed frame of the machine and with the slidableupright members 36. normally tend. to hold the members 36 in their upperposition.

Slidably mounted between the uprights 12 at the opposite sides of themachine near the lower part of the machine, is a receptacle 42 formolten solder. Supported on the re ceptacle 4-2 are depending yokes 43,which support transversely arranged burner tubes 41-4- which may beconnected in any suitable way withthe source of fuel supply.

On the receptacle 4:2 is a toothed. rack bar 4-5 which meshes with apinion 46 on a transversely arrai'iged. rotatably mounted shaft 47, onone endv of which is a crank forcing the fingers handle 48 by which thereceptacle 12 may be raised and lowered. V

i will now describe the practical operation of my improved radiatorrepair machine, and the construction thereof will be made clearer inconnection with such de scription.

It is a matter of general knowledge that it is the lower part of aradiator which ordin-arily freezes up in cold weather, and which needsrepair most frequently. The freezingordinarly occurs in the tubes, andit is then necessaryto repair and re-solder the breaks or splits in thetubes. Incidentally, l. havehere spoken particularly of freezing thelower portions of the tubes of the radiator, but it will, of course, beunderstood that my machine may be used for repairing injuries caused ina great variety of other ways.

For illustrating the operation of my machine more briefly, however, letit be assumed that some of the lower ends of parts of the tubes of avradiator have been frozen and bursted. These tubes are ordinarilyextended through and connected with a cover plate for the waterreceptacle or tank, which in turn is soldered at its upper edges to theplate.

are lighted. The radiator mounted on the support 15 with the lingers orlugs 18 proin Figur 4. l have illustrated a. portion.

of a; radiator having the tubes 50 and the lies 5!. The plate justmentioned, and the tins may be removed one at a time after the solderhas beensoftened, by lowering the fingers 33 by means of the handle 34,until the lingers project, for instance, between the lowermost iin 51and the next one aboveit, asillustrated .inFigure 45. The operator maythen put his foot upon the treadle 28 and press downwardly, whereuponthe bell crank levers 26 i will be 'manipulated for m ing the arms 30forwardly, thereby 33 against the endmost fin and forcing it off thetubes. The position of the parts at the finish of such operation isillustrated by dotted lines in Figure 4.

After the fins have been removed in the manner hereinbefore described,the tubes may be repaired in any suitable way. such, for instance, asdescribed in my process-Patln the use of my machine, the burners 23 outNo. 1,319,670, issued October 21, 1919, and in my co-pending applicationfor Patent, Serial Number 316,891., filed August 11, 1919. i

.After the tubes have been repaired, when it is desired to replace thefins the radiator is again placed on the support 15 and is swung toinverted vertical position, with the platform or support 15, in theposition shown in Figure 8, for instance, until the ends of the tubes atthe bottom of the radiator SlZlCli straight upwardly in alignment withthe holes 38. The relative positions of the parts are illustrated inFigure 5. One of the fins is slipped into position with the holes therein exactly aligned with the ends of the tubes 50. It will be understoodthat the tubes fit very snugly in the holes in the fins. The operatorthen puts his foot on the treadle a0 and forces the frame 47 downwardly,whereupon the fin will be forced downwardly over the tubes, the ends ofwhich will project through the openingsSS in the frame mem ber 37, asillustrated in Figure 6. This operation can be repeated until all thefins have been assembled. on the radiator, and until the plate whichforms the top of the lower tank is mounted on tubes in the radiator. 7

Either before or after the plate has been placed in position, theplatform or support 15 is moved to position until the bottom of theradiator stands immediately above the solder 'eceptacle 42. Assumingthat'the solder in such receptacle has been melted by heat from theburners ist, the operator then manipulates the crank 48'and raises thereceptacle .12 until the lower end of the radiator is received thereinfor soldering the fins to the tubes. The solder will not stick to thelower ends of the tubes, so there is no danger of stoppin them up.

It will be seen. that I have provided in my machine a very convenient,simple and inexpensive mechanism for removing the fins from the tubesand for re iilacing them there- The repairing of radiators is a somewhatdelicate job, requiring care and ordinarily requiring considerable time.With my improved machine the time taken for repair-in a radiator inordinary cases can be very greatly reduced.

Furthermore, I have found that by removing the fins by means of themachine includ-- in the fingers 33, much less injury is done to the finsthan is the case where old methods are employed. The fins can be muchmore easily and quickly assembled on the tubes with my machine, and thisoperation can. be performed with less injury to the parts than isordinarily the case where the old methods are employed.

Some changes may be made in the details of the construction andarrangement of the parts of my improved radiator repair machine withoutdeparting from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is myintention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or useof mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included Within theirscope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a radiator repair machine, the combination of a radiatorsupporting platform, means thereon to prevent longitudinal movement ofthe radiator, a heater arranged adjacent to the platform and in positionto heat a portion of a radiator which is supported on said platform, anda radiator fin engaging arm movably supported above the heater, for thepurposes stated.

2. In a radiator repair machine, the combination of a radiator platform,a series of upright fingers thereon designed to enter between the tubesand fins of the radiator to hold the radiator against longitudinalmovement on the platform, a heater adjacent to and beneath one end ofthe said platform, a fin engaging device arranged above the heater, andmeans for operating it to remove the fin engaged thereby, from thetubes. I

3. In a radiator repair machine, the combination of a tilting platform,fingers there on designed to enter between the fins and tubes of aradiator to hold the radiator on the platform, a heater arrangedadjacent to and below one end of the said platform when the platform isin a horizontal position, a fin removing device in position above theheater, a cross bar having openings therein to receive radiator tubesnormally in position above the platform when it is in a verticalposition, and means for moving said cross piece downwardly to press afin on the tubes extended through it.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a radiatorplatform, radiator supporting fingers mounted thereon and designed toenter between the fins and tubes of the radiator to hold it on theplatform when the platform is in a substantially verticalposition, asolder tank, a heater mounted beneath it, and means for moving thesolder tank upwardly to engage the lower end of the radiator supportedon the said platform.

Des l/Ioines, Iowa, November 5, 1919..

CLYDE E. SCHULZ.

